Automatic sprinkler apparatus.



V E. L. THOMPSON.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. l 9l3.

ATTORNEYS EVERETT I THOMPSON, 0F DO VER, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOSYPHO-CHEMICAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF CBOTON-ON HUDSON, NEW YORK, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

AUTOMATTC SPRINKLER APPARATUS.

Patented Dec. 1? 19118.

Application filed November 8, 1913. Serial No. 799,840.

SON, a citizen of the United States and resident of Dover, Morriscounty, State of New Jersey, have made a certain new and usefulInvention Relating to Automatic Sprinkler Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, which forms part of the same.

This invention relates especially to automatic sprinkler apparatus inwhich the distributing system, comprising automatic sprinkler heads,hose connections or other distributing devices is preferably providedwith an upwardly extending suction pipe which together with thedistributing system itself may be normally filled with water or withnon-freezing aqueous extinguishing liquid for low temperature Work.Under emergency conditions when the liquid is withdrawn from thedistributing system and connected suction pipe a suction or decidedreduction of pressure is caused in the upper portion of this suctionpipe which may operate through a suitable suction connection; ifdesired, any desired emergency device such as an alarm device or anychemical or other fluid supply device to supply additional extinguishingfluid to the distributing system.

In the accompanying drawings showing in a somewhat diagrammatic wayillustrative embodiments of this invention, 35

gigure 1 is an elevation partly in section; an

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of part of the same.

The distributing system may be of any desired form and may as indicatedcomprise one or more risers 1 connecting various distributing pipes,such as 2, on which automatic sprinkler heads or other distributingdevices 3 may be arranged .at suitable intervals, and the system mayalso comprise other distributing d;evices, such as a hose connections 5through which connected hose lines may be operated when the connectedvalves 4 and 6 are opened. The dis.- tributing system preferablycomprises a suction pipe which may be formed by the upper portion of theriser 1 or other part of; the

distributing system together with an uption, and so forth, a suitableWard extension 11 thereof, which preferably extends a considerabledistance above theupper distributing device which is likely to be usedin the connected distributing system or unit thereof so as to insure thedevelopment of the desired suction, and if desired the suction pipeandaccompanying pneumatic suction connection to actuate the desiredalarm or other emergency device may 111 some cases extend above the roofof the building. An extension of ten to fifteen feet for instance abovethe distributing device which comes into emergency operation willproduce a suction or reduction of five pounds or sobelow the atmosphericpressure, if as is desirable the upper portion of the suction pipe issubstantially closed under emergency conditions, and this suction isample to operate or actuate many forms of cooperating emergency or alarmdevices which may be of correspondingly simplified and effective form.

The distributing system, including the suction pipe, is preferablynormally filled with Water or other aqueous extinguishing liquid such asa suitable solution of soluble and substantially inert salts to reducethe freezing point of the liquid for low temperature service. As shownin Fig. 1, the

liquid may extend up to the point 8 in the suction pipe and forconvenience of inspec- I age glass 7 may be installed at this oint, 1tbeing also desirable to provide su cient capacity in or, in connectionwith the upper part of tho suction pipe to'take care of any slightleakage in the distributing system and also to minimize the efl'ect oftemperature variations or too rapid loss of head for other causes. Theexpansion due to ordinary temperature changes may be readily taken careof as by the use of a reduced equalizing device normally providing a pinhole or reduced equalizing venting passage for the slow escape or inress of air into the upper part of this so stantially closed suctionpipe.

able to interpose a suitable automatic closing valve at this point,such, for instance, as the float valve 9 to prevent escape of liquidduring the emergency operation of the system.

Under emergency conditions when one or two of the automatic sprinklerheads open or when the other distributing devices are brought into playthe extinguishing liquid in the system is instantly available forputting out the fire and the discharge of this liquid involves thewithdrawal of liquid from the substantially closed suction pipe ber 16.This suction chamber may have a suitable suction diaphragm 17 arrangedtherein and connected as by the nuts or flanges 46 witha suction stem 45guidedin a bracket 44 and having if desired its upper end projectingthrough a suitable opening in the suction chamber. Under emergencyconditions the suction diaphragm 17 is raised and may be used to actuateany suitable emergency devices, such for example, as alarm devices ofany description through suitable electric contacts such as the contactsprings 37, 38 which may be secured in position on the suction chamberand preferably insulated therefrom by the insulating Washers 48 as shownin Fig. 2. A movable contact, such as the washer 47 may be raised by thecollar 49 on the suction stem so that under emergency conditions thismovable contact 47 is carried u into electrical contact with the springs3 38 was to be held in that position and close the circuit between themwhich may as indicated comprise the wires 39, 40 and a suitable alarmdevice 41 in series with the battery or source of p0 tential 42 and thereturn wire 43 connectedv Any similarly con-- to the other contact.nected electrically operated emergency device may be used to supplysupplemental extinguishing fluidto the distributing system and such anarrangement is somewhat dia:

grammatically shown in Fig. 1 as comprising a supplemental supply-pipe27 which may be connected with the distributing system through theconnection 26 and check valve 24 so as to supply water or otherextinguishing liquid when the electric motor pump 28, 29 is in operationso as to dra water from the city connection or other supply pipe 30. Anysuitable electrical connections may be used to actuate such a dedeviceand these connections may comprise the wires 35, 36 connected with theelectrical contacts 37, 3'8 and may also comprise the starting device ormotor starter 32 connected to the motor by the connection 31 to thecontact 34 while the contact 33 connects with the wire 35.

' may be used in addition to or instead of the supplemental fluid supplyabove referred to. Such a chemically actuated arrangement is shown inFig. l as comprising a chemical supply tank 18 which may be connectedwith the distributing system through the connection 25 and the pipe 22in which may be located a suitable check valve preferably having aslight differential action and prc venting mixture of the fluid from thechemi-- cal tankwith the fluid normally in the distributing system. Thisfluid 51 in the tank may be any suitable carbonate solution and thesupply of sulfuric or other suitable acid 21 may, if desired, benormally'held within a tipping acid container 52 pivoted about thesupport 20 and having, if desired. a loosely arranged lead cover or capclosing its top and acting as a liquid seal at this point. If desired,the suction chamber may be provided with a support or connection 50mounted on this chemical supply tank-and the acid container may belocated so that the suction stem 45 normally holds its free upperend inthe position indicated, while when the suction device operates, the acidcontainer is released and the acid can mix with the'carbonate liquid soas to effect the chemical reaction which generates the high pressurewithin this tank and forces the extinguishing liquid out. into thedistributing system, this action taking place so quickly that theinitiation of flow fro any of the sprinkler heads or other distributingdevices of the system is very quickly supplemented by the high pressuredischarge caused by this chemical action which may be maintained as longas desired, depending upon the capacity of the chemical supply tank.Under. some conditions it is desirable to have an equalizing connectionsuch as 14 between .the chemical supply tank 18 and the suctionconnection-12 or other part of the apparatus so as to take care of anyslight changes in temperature. etc. Any suitable regulating valve 15such as the well known needle valve type for line adjustment's may beused to close this equalizing .vice from the suction operated emergencyconnection to the desired extent so as to allow merely a slow ventingaction and in- ,sure the desired emergency action of the apparatus inthe manner described.

This invention has been described in connection with a number ofillustrative em-. bodiments, forms, elements, niaterlals and.

. to the upper portion of said suction pipe to be operated by thesuction caused therein by the emergency action of said distributingdevices, acooperating chemical supply tank having a movable containercharged with a supply of acid released by the action of said emergencydevice, and a connection between said chemical supply tank and saiddistributing system comprising a check valve.

2. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprisingdistributing devices including automatic sprinkler heads and a suctionpipe extending above said distributing devices and having its upperportion closed under emergency conditions, ex'

tinguishing liquid in said distributing system and suction pipe, asuction operated emergency device connected to the upper portion of saidsuction pipe to be operated by the suction caused therein by theemergency action of said distributing devices, a coiiperating chemicalsupply tank having a supply of acid released by the action of saidemergency device, and a connection between said chemical supply tank andsaid distributing system comprising a check valve.

3. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a-

distributing system comprising distributing devices including automaticsprinkler heads and a suction pipe extending above said distributingdevices and-havingits upper portion substantially closed under emergencyconditions.- extinguishing liquid in said distributing system andsuction pipe, a suction operated emergency device connected to the upperportion of said suction pipe to be operated by the suction causedtherein by the emergency action ofsaid distributing devices and acooperating chemical supply tank having a supply of acid released by theaction of said emergency device.

4:. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system adapted tobe normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticsprinkler heads and hose distributing devices and a suction pipeextending upwardly beyond said distributing devices and having asubstantially closed upper end, a "reduced equalizing device in theupper portion of said suction pipe, a suction operated emergency devicecomprising a chemical supply tank to supply additional extinguishingliquid to said distribut-' ing system under emergency conditions and asmall area suction connection between said emergency device and theupper portion of said suction pipe'to actuate said emergency device bythe suction created in said suction pipe on the emergency flow of liquidfrom said system. I

In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a

distributing system adapted to be normally charged with extinguishingliquid and comprising automatic distributing devices and a suction pipeextending upwardly beyond said distributing devices and having asubstantially closed upper end, a reduced equalizing devicein the upperportion of said suction pipe, a suction operated emergency device tosupply additional extinguishing liquid to said distributing system underemergency conditions and a suction connection between said emergencydevice and the upper portion of said suction pipe to actuate saidemergencydevice by the suction created in said suctionpipe on. theemergency flow of liquid from said system.

6. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system adapted to benormally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticdistributing devices and 'a suction pipe extending upwardly beyond saiddistributing devices and having a substantially closed upper end, anequalizing device in the upper portion of said suction pipe, a suctionoperated emergency device and a suction connection between saidemergency device and the upper portion of said suction pipe to actuatesaid emergency device by the suction created in said suction pipe on theemergency flow of liquid from said system.

7. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticsprinkler heads and hose distributing devices and a suction pipeextending upwardly beyond the distributing devices and having asubstantially closed upper end under emergency conditions, a

reduced equalizing device in the upper portion of said suction pipe, asuction operated emergency device comprising a chemical supply tank tosupply additional extinguishing liquid to said distributing system underemergency conditions and a pneuris ally closed upper end under emergencyconditions, a suction operated emergency device and a pneumatic suctionconnection extending downward between the upper portion of said suctionpipe and said emergency device to actuate thesame by the suction createdin said suction pipe on'the emergency flow of liquid from said system.

9. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributingdevices and a suction pipe extending upwardly beyond the distributingdevices and having a substantially closed upper end under emergencyconditions, a suction operated emergency device and a suction connectionextending downward between the upper portion of said suction pipe andsaid emergency device to actuate the same by the suction created in saidsuction pipe on the emergency flow of liquid from said system.

10. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprisingdistributing devices including automatic sprinkler heads, a ventedsuction pipe extending above said distributing devices and having itsupper portion substantially closed under emergency conditions andnon-freezing extinguishing liquid in said distributing system andsuction pipe, and a cooperating suction actuated emergency deviceconnected to the upper portion of said suction pipe and operating tofurnish to said distributing system a supplemental supply of highpressure extinguishing liquid on the emergency action of saiddistributing devices.

11. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising adistributing device and an upper suction portion extending above saiddistributing device and provided with a venting float valveautomatically closing under emergency conditions, extinguishing liquidin said distributing system and suction portion, an emergency deviceoperating under emergency conditions and an operating connection betweensaid suction portion and said emergency device.

12. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprisingan upper suction portion substantially closed under emergency conditionsand distributing devices including automatic sprinkler heads memes belowsaid suction portion, non-freezing extinguishing liquid in saiddistributing system and suction portion, and a cooperating suctionactuated emergency device compris- 1 ing gaseous pressure liquid supplymeans connected to said suction portion and adapted to be actuated tofurnish to said distributing system a supplemental supply ofextinguishing liquid on the emergency flow of extinguishing liquid fromsaid distributing devices.

tem and suction portion, and a cooperating suction actuated emergencydevice connected to said suction portion and adapted to be actuated onthe emergency flow of extinguishing liquid from said'distributingdevices.

14. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising adistributing device and an upper portion extending above saiddistributing device and provided with a venting device, means toautomatically close said venting device on emergency discharge from saidsystem, extinguishing liquid in said distributing system and suctionportion, an emergency device operating under emergency conditions and anoperating connection between said upper portion and said emergencydevice.

15. In. automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprisingavented suction pipe having its upper portion substantially closed underemergency conditions and distributing devices including automaticsprinkler heads below the top of said suction portion, non-freezingextinguishing liquid in said distributing system and suction pipe, and acooperating suction actuated emergency alarm device connected to theupper portion of said. suction pipe and operating to furnish to saiddistributing system a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid on theemergency action of said distributing devices.

16. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system adapted tobe normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticdistributing devices and a suction pipe extending upwardly beyond saiddistributing devices and having a substantially closed upper" end, areduced equalizing device in the upper portion of said suction pipe, asuction operated emergency device below the upper distributing devicesto supply additional extinguishing liquid to said distributing systemunder emergency conditions and a suction connection between saidemergency device and the upper portion of said suction pipe to actuatesaid emer ency device by the suction created in sai suction pipe on theemergency flow of liquid from said system.

17 In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributingdevices and a suction pipe extending upwardly beyond the distributingdevices and having a substantially closed upper end under emergencyconditions, a suction operated emergency device below the upperdistributing devices and a suction connection extending downward betweenthe upper portion of said suction pipe and said emergency device toactuate the same by the suction created in said suction pipe on theemergency flow of liquid from said system.

18. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising dis-i tributing devicesand a suction pipe'extending upwardly beyond the distributing devices, asuction operated emergency device below the upper'distributing devicesand 'a suction connection extending downward between said suction pipeand said emergency device to actuate the same by the suction created insaid suction pipe on the emerextinguishing liquid and comprisingdisgency flow of liquid from saidsystein.

19. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic sprinklerheads and hose distributing devices and a suction pipe extendingupwardly beyond the distributing devices and having a substantiallyclosed upper end under emergency conditions, a reduced equalizing devicein the upper portion of said suction pipe, a suction operated emer-'gency device comprising a chemical supply tank below the upperdistributing devices to supply additional extinguishing liquid to saiddistributing system under emergency conditions and a pneumatic suctionconnection extending downward between said suction pipe and saidemergency device to actuate the same by the suction created in saidsuction pipe on the emergency flow of liquid from said system.

20. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a dis tributing systemsubstantially charged with tributing devices'and a suction pipe havingits upper portion extending above said distributing devices and beingsubstantially closed under emergency conditions, and a cooperatingsuction actuated emergency de-,

vice below the upper distributing devices and 0 crating on the emergencydischarge of sai tributing devices.

21. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprisingdistributing devices including automatic sprinkler heads,

extinguishing liquid from said dis tributing system comprisingdistributing devices, a vented suction pipe having its upper portionextending above said distributing devices and being at leastsubstantially closed under emergency conditions and extinguishing liquidin said distributing system and suction pipe, and a cooperating suctionactuated emergency device below the upper distributing devices andconnected to said suction pipe and operating to furnish to saiddistributing system a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid on theemergency action of said distributing devices. Y

23. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprisingdistributing devices and a vented suction portion extending above all ofsaid distributing devices and having its upper portion substantiallyclosed under emergency conditions, non freezing extinguishing liquid insaid distributing system and suction portion, a coiiperating emergencyfluid supply device comprising a chemical gaseous pressure supply tankbelow the upper distributing devices to furnish to said distributingsystem a supplemental supply of extinguish ing liquid on the emergencyaction of said distributing devices and a pneumatic suction connectionextending downward from said suction portion to said emergency device toeffect its emergency operation.

24:. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprisingdistribut ing devices and a suction portion extending above all of saiddistributing devices, nonfreezing extinguishing liquid in said disabo'veall of said distributing devices, extinguishing liquid in saiddistributing system and suction portion, a cooperating emergency fluidsupply device below the upper distributing devices to furnish to saiddistributing system a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid on theemergency action of said distributing devices and a suction connectionextending downward from said suction portion to said emergency device toeffect its emergency operation.

26. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system containingextinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices anda suctionportion extending above said distributing devices and having its upperend normally at substantially atmospheric pressure and substantiallyclosed under emergency conditions, a chemical mixing device connected tosaid distributing system to be operated by the suction caused therein bythe emergency action of said dis tributing devices and a chemicalpressure supply tank actuated by said mixing device and connected tosaid distributing system to supply additional extinguishing liquid Vthereto.

27. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising a distributing deviceand an upper portion of said system extending above said distributingdevice, and normally at substantially atmospheric pressure andsubstantially closed under emergency conditions, a pneumatic suctionconnection communicating with the upper portion of said system and meanscomprising a chemically operated gaseous pressure supply tank andconnected to said suction connection to operate by the suction caused onthe discharge of liquid from said distributing system.

EVERETT L. THOMPSON.

WVitnesses HARRY L. DUNCAN, J os. G. MA'NEELY.

